Lexi Blue Delivers for Big Blue (W/ Photos)

Kentucky needs someone to help pick up the production lost when Dominika Paurova injured her knee last month and is out for the season.

Sophomore Lexi Blue certainly indicated she might provide an offensive spark as she went 6-for-7 from 3-point range and led Kentucky with a career-high 18 points in 18 minutes in a 104-46 win over Monmouth Thursday night in Memorial Coliseum.

No. 24/20 Kentucky started the game on a 21-1 run, a big change from the game Monday against Morehead State when the Eagles raced to a 13-4 lead to open the game.

“Really, really good effort by our kids. Obviously, we talk about how you’re not going to be perfect, but we want them to have perfect content,” Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks said.  “I thought they came out and we had a lot of energy, and we felt like we were lackluster on Monday, so today was a great step in the right direction for the opportunity to form our identity.”

Amelia Hassett had 17 points and seven rebounds, while Teonni Key and Asia Boone each had 14 points. All 10 Wildcats who played scored in the win.

Brooks was not surprised by Blue’s breakout game.
“She’s the first one in, last one out (of practice). She’s always giving extra whether she plays 10 minutes or 20 minutes,” Brooks said. “She’d always ask the coaches the next day for film… and so I applaud her because she wants to play.”

Blue said she had progressed from her freshman season when she played sparingly.

“I’m glad that I have people along the way that have just helped me and assisted me and I have great teammates and coaches that just pour into me every day, so that helps my confidence,” she said.

“I’ve put in a lot of work and I feel like I have great people around me so that’s the main thing. When my number is called I just need to be ready, that’s what I focus on each and every day. There’s been times where it’s been hard, but it’s nice to have a night like tonight.”

Hassett went 6-for-11 from the field, including 3-for-8 from 3, and also had seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 25 minutes. She overcame a sluggish shooting start to help lead the offense.

“I mean obviously it’s hard  missing shots. You’re going to kind of put your head down, but knowing that your teammates are there supporting you and coach Brooks coming over and saying just making the next one I guess just boosted my energy,” Hassett said. “We all get along so well, but I think energy starts from the locker room.”Monmouth shots just 27.9 percent — 17 of 61 — from the field, including 5-for-25 from 3-point range. The losers also had 15 turnovers and were out-rebounded 42-31.

Brooks said his team’s intensity and communication were much better than in the win over Morehead. He even said the team was “over communicating” at times.

“We still didn’t always get everything right, but Monday I just felt like we were running around and chasing and not trying to disrupt anything, but tonight I thought we were much better and able to take them out of some of the things they wanted to do,” Brooks said.